Question

Which of the following describes the relationship between P and S waves and the epicenter?

The farther away the P and S waves are on a seismogram, the further the epicenter.
The closer together the P and S waves are on a seismogram, the further the epicenter.
If the S wave comes before the P wave, the further away the epicenter.
If the S wave comes before the P wave, the closer the epicenter.

Answer 1

I think the correct answer from the choices listed above is the last option. The relationship between P and S waves and the epicenter  would be best described by the statement that if the S wave comes before the P wave, the closer the epicenter. Hope this answers the question. Have a nice day.

Answer 2

The answer is; The farther away the P and S waves are on a seismogram, the further the epicenter.

P-waves always arrive first to S-waves because they are faster. P-waves are compressional waves, unlike S-waves which are shear waves. The time difference between the arrival of P-waves and S-waves can be used to deduce the epicenter of the quake. The bigger the difference the farther the epicenter. A graph is used to deduce the approximate distance in kilometers.